Integration of an advertising unit containing interactive residual areas and digital media content

ABSTRACT

Described are systems and methods for dynamic integration and presentation of advertising content and media content. The method includes receiving a request for media content from a remote computing device. The method also includes providing an interactive advertising unit, which comprises a first content layer including the requested media content and a media player, a second content layer including the advertising content, wherein the advertising content comprises video content and website content, and an integration module configured to display the video content to match the boundaries of the media player, extend the display area of the video content, reduce the display area of the video content after a period of time, display the website content in an area outside of the boundaries of the media player, and display the requested media content in the media player. The method also includes transmitting the interactive advertising unit for presentation on the remote computing device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Ser. No. 61/250,019, filed on Oct.9, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter of this application relates generally to methods andapparatuses, including computer program products, for integration of anadvertising unit containing interactive residual areas and digital mediacontent.

BACKGROUND

Content providers have long sought to include advertising as part oftheir broadcasts in order to generate revenue and recoup the costs ofcontent production, and manufacturers of consumer goods have placedtheir ads with various content providers in order to extol the virtuesof their goods to the largest possible consumer audience. For example,ever since their earliest days, radio and television stations frequentlyhave broadcast blocks of ads in between their programming segments. Morerecently, content providers on the Internet have utilized banneradvertisements, pop-up advertisements, and other forms of interactiveadvertising on websites.

In order to capitalize on the recent explosion in availability of onlinemedia (e.g., streaming video feeds), content providers, consumer goodscompanies, and advertising firms have turned their attention todeveloping dynamic and interactive experiences for users who access theonline media.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be desirable to have a method and system for dynamicallyintegrating advertising content with media content (e.g., digital mediacontent) to achieve the effect of linking the advertisement with thecontext of the digital media content, web page, and/or the embeddedmedia player, thereby increasing the advertisement's exposure to theconsumer. Also, it would be desirable in some examples to completelyinterrupt the desired media content in a linear fashion by displayingthe advertising content first, but also providing the user with amechanism to interact with the advertising content and view the mediacontent. It would be desirable in some examples to present theadvertising content and the digital media content in a non-linearfashion so to leave the digital media content uninterrupted andsubstantially unobstructed while at the same time displaying theadvertising content to the user, allowing the user to enjoy the desiredmedia content while simultaneously viewing the advertising content.Also, it would be desirable in some examples to allow the user tointeract with the advertising content and/or tie the media content andthe advertising content together in a unique and unanticipated way.

In general overview, the techniques described herein are related tointegration of a fully interactive rich media advertising unit and mediacontent (e.g., digital media content) presented in a media player. Thetechniques provide for simulated integration, creating an illusion to auser that the advertising content and digital media content are broughttogether in the media player. The techniques also provide for functionalintegration via interaction between the advertising unit and the mediaplayer, including manipulation of spatial, temporal, and controlcomponents, resulting in a unique presentation of the advertisingcontent and digital media content to the user. Spatial integrationrefers to the synchronization of position and coverage between theadvertising unit and the media player. Temporal integration refers tothe coordination of content display timing between the advertising unitand the media player. Control integration refers to the communicationbetween the advertising unit and the media player in transferringinfluence and priority of displayed content. The techniquesadvantageously enable dynamic and unexpected interplay between digitalmedia content contained in an embedded media player and an interactive,persistent advertising unit configured to capture the attention of auser and offer an engaging, memorable experience.

The invention, in one aspect, features, a method for dynamic integrationand presentation of advertising content and media content. The methodincludes receiving, by a server computing device, a request for mediacontent from a remote computing device. The method also includesproviding, by the server computing device in response to the request, aninteractive advertising unit. The interactive advertising unit comprisesa first content layer including the requested media content and a mediaplayer, a second content layer including the advertising content,wherein the advertising content comprises video content and websitecontent, and an integration module. The integration module is configuredto display the video content to match the boundaries of the mediaplayer, extend the display area of the video content beyond theboundaries of the media player, reduce the display area of the videocontent after a period of time to match the boundaries of the mediaplayer, display the website content in an area outside of the boundariesof the media player, and display the requested media content in themedia player. The method also includes transmitting, by the servercomputing device, the interactive advertising unit for presentation onthe remote computing device.

The invention, in another aspect, features a system for dynamicintegration and presentation of advertising content and media content.The system includes a server computing device configured to receive arequest for media content from a remote computing device and provide, inresponse to the request, an interactive advertising unit. Theinteractive advertising unit includes a first content layer includingthe requested media content and a media player, a second content layerincluding the advertising content, wherein the advertising contentcomprises video content and website content, and an integration module.The integration module is configured to display the video content tomatch the boundaries of the media player, extend the display area of thevideo content beyond the boundaries of the media player, reduce thedisplay area of the video content after a period of time to match theboundaries of the media player, display the website content in an areaoutside of the boundaries of the media player, and display the requestedmedia content in the media player. The server computing device is alsoconfigured to transmit the interactive advertising unit for presentationon the remote computing device.

The invention, in another aspect, features a computer program product,tangibly embodied in a computer readable storage medium, for dynamicintegration and presentation of advertising content and media content.The computer program product includes instructions operable to configurea data processing apparatus to receive a request for media content froma remote computing device, and provide, in response to the request, aninteractive advertising unit. The interactive advertising unit includesa first content layer including the requested media content and a mediaplayer, a second content layer including the advertising content,wherein the advertising content comprises video content and websitecontent, and an integration module. The integration module is configuredto display the video content to match the boundaries of the mediaplayer, extend the display area of the video content beyond theboundaries of the media player, reduce the display area of the videocontent after a period of time to match the boundaries of the mediaplayer, display the website content in an area outside of the boundariesof the media player, and display the requested media content in themedia player. The computer program product also includes instructionsoperable to configure a data processing apparatus to transmit theinteractive advertising unit for presentation on the remote computingdevice.

In some embodiments, any of the above aspects can include one or more ofthe following features. In some embodiments, the integration module canbe further configured to manage the spatial presentation of therequested media content and the advertising content, synchronize thetemporal presentation of the requested media content and the advertisingcontent, and control the presentation priority of the requested mediacontent and the advertising content. In some embodiments, managing thespatial presentation includes positioning the advertising content overthe media player so as to obscure the requested media content. In someembodiments, managing the spatial presentation includes positioning theadvertising content in proximity to the media player so as to displaythe requested media content unobscured.

In some embodiments, the integration module displays an animation inextending the display area of the video content beyond the boundaries ofthe media player. In some embodiments, the integration module extendsthe display area of the video content to a widescreen format. In someembodiments, the integration module displays an animation in reducingthe display area of the video content to match the boundaries of themedia player.

In some embodiments, the video content and the website content arerelated according to genre, theme, advertised product, subject matter,or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the website contentincludes information related to a product displayed in the videocontent. In some embodiments, the integration module is furtherconfigured to receive input based on a user action.

In some embodiments, at least one of the video content and the websitecontent includes a graphical representation of an advertised product, anadvertised service, or both. In some embodiments, the integration moduleis configured to transmit one or more commands from the second contentlayer to the first content layer, the one or more commands operable tocontrol playback of the requested media content in the media player.

Further features and advantages of the present invention as well as thestructure and operation of various embodiments of the present inventionare described in detail below with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for the dynamic integration andpresentation of advertising and media content.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an interactive advertising unit to display mediacontent and advertising content.

FIGS. 3A-3E are screenshots of an exemplary embodiment of an interactiveadvertising unit provided by the system, wherein the advertising contentincludes interactive residual areas integrated with digital mediacontent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general overview, the techniques described herein are directed tomethods and apparatuses, including computer program products, fordynamic integration and presentation of advertising content and mediacontent (e.g., digital media content). As described in more detail, theadvertising content is combined with the digital media content(displayed in, for example, a media player) in a seamless fashion toprovide an interactive advertising unit. The creation of the interactiveadvertising unit provides the advantages of greatly increasing a user'sexposure to the advertising content while not materially diminishing theuser's consumption of the digital media content. The nature of theinteractive advertising unit, displaying advertising content inproximity to requested digital media content, allows the use of a broadrange of marketing techniques, such as product placement, brandassociation, and click-through opportunities. Thus, the techniquesprovide an opportunity for manufacturers to increase the effectivenessof their advertising while maintaining the accessibility and appeal ofthe requested digital media content.

The display of the advertising and digital media content is not limitedto a web browser or traditional embedded media player. For example, theadvertising content and/or video content could be displayed to a uservia an interactive application downloaded and executed on a smart phone,i.e., an “app” configured to run on the iPhone® from Apple® Computer,Inc.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 100 for dynamic integration andpresentation of advertising and media content. The system 100 includes aclient computing device 102, a communications network 104, and a servercomputing device 106. In some embodiments, the server computing device106 is connected to one or more other computing devices which provideadvertising content (e.g., ad server 108) and digital media content(e.g., video server 110). The server computing device 106, ad server108, and video server 110 can reside at the same physical location ormay be dispersed to multiple physical locations. The server computingdevice 106, ad server 108, and video server 110 can be located on thesame physical device or one or more of the servers 106, 108, 110 can bedistributed over many devices. The server computing device 106, adserver 108, and video server 110 can communicate via a communicationsnetwork, for example communications network 104.

The client computing device 102 is the hardware that displays theinteractive advertising unit containing advertising content and digitalmedia content to a user. Example computing devices take on many forms,including but not limited to a personal computer, a standalone videoplayer, a home video game console, a portable video game system, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), an internet appliance, a smart phone,a set-top box, or the like. The computing device 102 includesnetwork-interface components to enable the user to connect to acommunications network 104, such as the Internet. The computing device102 also includes browser software to enable the user to interact withweb sites and other content providers. Some example browser softwareincludes Microsoft® Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox®, or othersimilar software applications. The client computing device 102 alsoincludes digital content playback plug-ins or standalone software toenable the user to view digital media content (e.g., video and audio)received over the communications network 104. Examples of digital mediacontent playback software includes Microsoft® Windows Media® Player,Adobe® Flash® Player, QuickTime® from Apple® Computer, Inc., or othersimilar applications.

The server computing device 106 hosts web pages and other similarcontent, and receives content requests from the client computing device102 via the communications network 104.

The communications network 104 channels communications from the clientcomputing device 102 to the server computing device 106. The network 104may be a local network, such as a LAN, or a wide area network, such asthe Internet or the World Wide Web.

The ad server 108 hosts advertising content for use by the servercomputing device 106. In some embodiments, the ad server 108 receivesrequests for advertising content directly from the client computingdevice 102 via the communications network 104. In some embodiments, thead server 108 receives requests for advertising content from the clientcomputing device 102 by way of the server computing device 106.Advertising content can take a variety of forms. Examples include astatic banner ad, a graphical animation or an interactive, rich mediaapplication that contains graphics, animation, audio, and/or videocontent, such as a Flash® application.

The media server 110 hosts digital media content for use by the servercomputing device 106. In some embodiments, the media server 110 canreceive requests for digital media content from the client computingdevice 102 via the communications network 104. In some embodiments, themedia server 110 receives requests for advertising content from theclient computing device 102 by way of the server computing device 106.The digital media content can take a variety of forms. The media contentcan be short-form video content, i.e., a four-minute music video. Themedia content can be long-form video content, i.e., a thirty-minutetelevision program. The media content can be audio content, i.e., aradio broadcast. Other examples include user-submitted amateur video,professional television shows, motion pictures, webcasts, podcasts,music videos, or other similar content.

FIG. 2 is a diagram 200 of an interactive advertising unit 202 todisplay media content and advertising content.

A user interacts with the system 100 by opening a web browser 212 on theclient computing device 102 and entering the address of the web server106. The client computing device 102 sends a content request associatedwith the address entered by the user to the server computing device 106.Once the server computing device 106 receives the request, the servercomputing device 106 retrieves the requested content and transmits thecontent for display in the web browser 212 on the computing device 102.For example, the user can enter a standard web address, such ashttp://www.mtv.com/videos/, into the browser window 212 at the clientcomputing device 102. The web server 106 can then transmit the web pagelocated at mtv.com/videos/ to the computing device 102 for display inthe browser 212.

In yet other examples, the owner of the server computing device 106 maywish to present an advertisement to the user when the user requestsdigital media content. As above, the user interacts with the system 100by entering or navigating to the address of media content associatedwith the server computing device 106. Upon receiving the request, theserver computing device 106 retrieves the requested media content (e.g.,from media server 110). Before transmitting the requested media contentto the computing device 102, the server computing device retrievesadvertising content (e.g., from the ad server 108). In some embodiments,the advertising content is selected by the server computing device 106based on predetermined criteria, such as a focused advertising campaign.Examples of an advertising campaign can include a predetermined numberof displays of the advertising content, a predefined period of time inwhich the advertising content will be selected for display, a marketingassociation between the owner of the advertising content, the producerof the requested video content, and the like. The server computingdevice 106 combines the advertising content and the requested digitalmedia content to provide an interactive advertising unit 202. The servercomputing device 106 transmits the interactive advertising unit 202 tothe client computing device 102 for presentation to a user. Theinteractive advertising unit 202 presents the advertising content (e.g.,from ad server 108) along with the digital media content requested bythe user (e.g., from media server 110) in a number of interesting,memorable, and dynamic ways, as shown below.

In some embodiments, the server computing device 106 combines thedigital media content and the advertising content into an interactiveadvertising unit 202 using a multi-layered approach. The servercomputing device 106 places the digital media content and associatedmedia player into a first content layer 204, and places the advertisingcontent into a second content layer 206. In one embodiment, the secondcontent layer 206 is positioned on top of the first content layer 204 ofthe interactive advertising unit 202. The interactive advertising unit202 is transmitted to the client computing device 102 for display, suchas in browser window 212 (e.g., embedded in a larger web page). In someembodiments, the interactive advertising unit 202 provides the secondcontent layer 206 using the <div> tag provided by the HTML programminglanguage, in association with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to coordinatepresentation attributes of the <div> tag.

The interactive advertising unit 202 includes an interaction module 208which coordinates the interactions between the content layers (e.g.,first content layer 204 and second content layer 206). The interactionmodule 208 manages the spatial presentation, synchronizes the temporalpresentation, and controls the presentation priority of the advertisingcontent and the digital media content in the respective content layers204 and 206. The interaction module 208 coordinates the spatial,temporal, and control functionality to work in concert with each other,advantageously merging the features of each presentation type.

Management of the spatial relationship between the digital media contentand the media player in the first content layer 204, and the advertisingcontent in the second content layer 206, is important to providing anengaging and dynamic experience to the user. In one embodiment, theinteraction module 208 of the interactive advertising unit 202 positionsthe second content layer 206 in certain areas above the first contentlayer 204, thereby enabling the strategic placement of the advertisingcontent in an area that catches the user's attention while keeping thedigital media content in the first content layer 204 unobstructed andavailable for viewing. In another embodiment, the interaction module 208of the interactive advertising unit 202 positions the second contentlayer 206 in certain areas above the first content layer 204 in a waythat masks or obscures the digital media content in the first contentlayer 204. In this embodiment, the interaction module 208 leverages themasking of the digital media content to emphasize the advertisingcontent or to reveal the digital media content to the user in a dramaticand unexpected way. In any of these embodiments, the second contentlayer 206 can be partially or fully transparent until the interactiveadvertising unit 202 displays the advertising content.

Synchronization of the temporal relationship between the digital mediacontent and the media player in the first content layer 204, and theadvertising content in the second content layer 206, is also importantto achieving a unique and unexpected user experience. In one embodiment,the interaction module 208 displays advertising content (e.g., apre-roll video, a pop-up ad) before presentation of the digital mediacontent to assist the user in making a “connection” between theadvertised goods and the media content, and thereby increasing theuser's anticipation of and engagement in the content.

In addition, control of the presentation priority between the digitalmedia content in the first content layer 204, and the advertisingcontent in the second content layer 206, is important for augmenting theinteractive functionality of the interactive advertising unit 202 toincrease user interest in and appeal of the presented content. In oneembodiment, the interaction module 208 of the interactive advertisingunit 202 displays the advertising content until the module 208 receivesa user input request to skip the advertising content and begindisplaying the requested digital media content in the media player 210,thereby inducing the user to interact with the advertising content andmaximizing exposure for the advertised goods. In another embodiment, theinteraction module 208 of the interactive advertising unit 202 displaysthe advertising content until the content has completed its playbackthen transitions to displaying the requested digital media content in anunexpected way. In this embodiment, the interaction module 208integrates the display of the advertising content seamlessly into theoverall presentation to enable advertising opportunities that aredynamic and interesting.

Although shown as covering almost the entire browser window 212, thecontent layers 204 and 206 of the interactive advertising unit 202 canvary in size and cover any portion of the browser window 212. In someembodiments, the interactive advertising unit 202 includes multiplecontent layers, in addition to the first and second content layers 204and 206. In one embodiment, the interactive advertising unit 202 placesone content layer (e.g., second content layer 206) above a media player210 contained in another content layer (e.g., first content layer 204),while the interactive advertising unit 202 can place another separatecontent layer (not shown) above a different section of the browserwindow 212, such as above the top portion or in a side margin. Theinteraction module 208 of the interactive advertising unit 202coordinates the spatial presentation management, temporal presentationsynchronization, and the presentation priority control of the contentresiding in each of the provided content layers (e.g., layers 204 and206). In one embodiment, the interaction module 208 uses a protocol suchas LocalConnections provided in the Adobe Flash® development tool tocommunicate between the respective content layers (e.g., layers 204 and206).

FIGS. 3A-3E are screenshots of an exemplary embodiment of an interactiveadvertising unit (e.g., interactive advertising unit 302 c) provided bythe system 100, wherein the advertising unit 302 c contains interactiveresidual areas combined with digital media content. Although theadvertising content and interactive residual areas embodied herein arerelated to advertisement of a movie, the invention is not limited incontent or scope to this embodiment and can encompass any advertisingsubject, theme, or products.

When a user at a client computing device (e.g., client computing device102) navigates to a web page that hosts the desired digital mediacontent, the server computing device 106 receives the request andretrieves the requested media content (e.g., from video server 110) andadvertising content (e.g., from ad server 108). The server computingdevice 106 combines the advertising content and the digital mediacontent to provide an interactive advertising unit 302 c (as shown inFIG. 3A). The interactive advertising unit 302 c places the advertisingcontent—e.g., a pre-roll advertising video—into the second contentlayer, and places the digital media content in the first content layerwhich includes the media player 302 b (e.g., in a browser window 302 a).

In this embodiment, the second content layer covers the entire area ofthe media player 302 b in the first content layer. The interactiveadvertising unit 302 c displays the advertising video in the secondcontent layer. The interaction module of the interactive advertisingunit 302 c positions the advertising video within the boundaries of themedia player 302 b to appear as a simulated “pre-roll” video. As theadvertising video is displayed, the interaction module of theinteractive advertising unit 302 c controls the presentation priority ofthe respective content by queuing up the requested digital media contentin the media player 302 b and pausing it at the first frame to awaiteither the bypass or the completion of the advertising video.

Shortly after the interactive advertising unit 302 c begins playback ofthe advertising video (e.g., 5 seconds), the interactive advertisingunit 302 c displays an animation to provide the appearance of breakingthe simulated boundaries of the media player 302 b in a visuallystimulating and unexpected manner. Referring to FIG. 3B, the outline ofthe playback area of the media player 302 b is shown as a square. Forexample, the interactive advertising unit 302 c can display a suddenburst of animation (e.g., the waves represented by reference characters304 and 306 of FIG. 3B) at the sides, top and/or bottom of the mediaplayer. The animation can be associated with the content of theadvertising video. In one example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the waves 306crash and flow to the sides of the web page while the image of an ocean308 is playing in the advertising video. The interactive advertisingunit 302 c gives the effect of the ocean 308 rushing to the sides of theweb page and flowing over the bottom of the media player playback area302 b in synchronization with the waves 306, thereby covering over thepreviously visible content of the web page—including the media player302 b and associated media content.

At the same time, the interactive advertising unit 302 c expands tostretch across the entire web page, transforming into a widescreen area310 (as shown in FIG. 3C). The advertising video (e.g., a movie previewtrailer) continues to play within the newly-expanded area 310. In someexamples, the widescreen area can cover the entire width of the webpage. In other examples, as shown in FIG. 3C, the widescreen area 310can cover less than the entire width of the page, and includeadvertising areas 312 a-b which contain content associated with theinteractive advertising unit 302 c. The advertising areas 312 a-b can besynchronized with the playback of the advertising video. For example,the advertising areas 312 a-b can change color, illumination, or otherappearance characteristics as those characteristics change in theadvertising video.

Once the interactive advertising unit 302 c concludes playback of theadvertising video, the interactive advertising unit 302 c can withdrawfrom the widescreen area 310 to reveal the media player 302 b. Theinteractive advertising unit 302 c returns control to the media player302 b. When the media player 302 b receives control, the media player302 b resumes playback of the digital media content 314, as shown inFIG. 3D. However, the interactive advertising unit 302 c does notcompletely disappear from the web page. The interactive advertising unit302 c remains present through displaying interactive residual areas 316a-b on the sides of the browser window 302 a. The interactive residualareas 316 a-b are not limited to displaying static advertisements orstripped-down features. Instead, the areas 316 a-b can comprise one orseveral microsites, containing the full capability found in typical websites. The microsites can be related in content, genre, subject matter,and/or _(——————) to the advertising content previously displayed by theinteractive advertising unit 302 c, and can include input tools such asbuttons, links, and search fields to enhance the user experience byproviding additional interactivity and prominence of the advertisingcontent and advertised product(s). For example, as shown in FIG. 3D, themicrosites include buttons to view additional content related to theadvertised product displayed in the interactive advertising unit 302 c,such as a full trailer video of an advertised movie (e.g., button 318)or detailed information on characters from the movie (e.g., button 320).Upon clicking one of these functions, the interactive advertising unit302 c regains control from the media player 302 b, and recaptures thewidescreen area as indicated above to display content associated withthe function requested by the user.

Another feature found in a microsite displayed in the interactiveresidual areas is a search function. The microsite can include a searchtext box 322 a in which the user can enter input to include as part ofthe search criteria. For example, as shown in FIG. 3D, the user canenter his or her zip code into the search text box 322 a and click the“Find Movie Times” button 322 b to search for theaters near thatlocation which are currently playing the advertised movie.

The search results 324 are shown in FIG. 3E. The interaction module ofthe interactive advertising unit 302 c transfers control from the mediaplayer 302 b to the interactive advertising unit 302 c and stopsplayback of the requested digital media content. The interactiveadvertising unit 302 c reclaims the area across the width of the webpageto display the theater and show time information, and covers the digitalmedia content in the media player 302 b. The search results 324 arecompletely interactive, e.g., the user can click on any of the theaternames or show times to get additional information or to purchasetickets.

The above-described systems and methods can be implemented in digitalelectronic circuitry, in computer hardware, firmware, and/or software.The implementation can be as a computer program product (i.e., acomputer program tangibly embodied in a computer readable medium). Theimplementation can, for example, be in a machine-readable storage deviceand/or include a propagated signal, for execution by, or to control theoperation of, data processing apparatus. The implementation can, forexample, be a programmable processor, a computer, and/or multiplecomputers.

A computer program can be written in any form of programming language,including compiled and/or interpreted languages, and the computerprogram can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone programor as a subroutine, element, and/or other unit suitable for use in acomputing environment. A computer program can be deployed to be executedon one computer or on multiple computers at one site.

Method steps can be performed by one or more programmable processorsexecuting a computer program to perform functions of the invention byoperating on input data and generating output. Method steps can also beperformed by and an apparatus can be implemented as special purposelogic circuitry. The circuitry can, for example, be a FPGA (fieldprogrammable gate array), an ASIC (application-specific integratedcircuit), a DSP (digital signal processor), and/or any other discretecircuitry that is configured to implement the required functions.Modules, subroutines, and software agents can refer to portions of thecomputer program, the processor, the special circuitry, software, and/orhardware that implement that functionality.

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, byway of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, andany one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, aprocessor receives instructions and data from a read-only memory or arandom access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are aprocessor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices forstoring instructions and data. Generally, a computer can include, can beoperatively coupled to receive data from and/or transfer data to one ormore mass storage devices for storing data (e.g., magnetic,magneto-optical disks, or optical disks).

Data transmission and instructions can also occur over a communicationsnetwork. Computer readable mediums suitable for embodying computerprogram instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory,including by way of example semiconductor memory devices. The computerreadable mediums can, for example, be EPROM, EEPROM, flash memorydevices, magnetic disks, internal hard disks, removable disks,magneto-optical disks, CD-ROM, and/or DVD-ROM disks. The processor andthe memory can be supplemented by, and/or incorporated in specialpurpose logic circuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, the above described techniquescan be implemented on a computer having a display device or atransmitting device. The display device can be, for example, a cathoderay tube (CRT) and/or a liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor. Theinteraction with a user can be, for example, a display of information tothe user and a keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., a mouse or atrackball) by which the user can provide input to the computer (e.g.,interact with a user interface element). Other kinds of devices can beused to provide for interaction with a user. Other devices can be, forexample, feedback provided to the user in any form of sensory feedback(e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback). Inputfrom the user can be, for example, received in any form, includingacoustic, speech, and/or tactile input.

The client device and the computing device can include, for example, acomputer, a computer with a browser device, a telephone, an IP phone, amobile device (e.g., cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA)device, smart phone, laptop computer, electronic mail device), and/orother communication devices. The browser device includes, for example, acomputer (e.g., desktop computer, laptop computer) with a World Wide Webbrowser (e.g., Microsoft® Internet Explorer® available from MicrosoftCorporation, Mozilla® Firefox available from Mozilla Corporation). Themobile computing device includes, for example, a Blackberry®.

The web servers can be, for example, a computer with a server module(e.g., Microsoft® Internet Information Services available from MicrosoftCorporation, Apache Web Server available from Apache SoftwareFoundation, Apache Tomcat Web Server available from Apache SoftwareFoundation).

The above described techniques can be implemented in a distributedcomputing system that includes a back-end component. The back-endcomponent can, for example, be a data server, a middleware component,and/or an application server. The above described techniques can beimplemented in a distributing computing system that includes a front-endcomponent. The front-end component can, for example, be a clientcomputer having a graphical user interface, a Web browser through whicha user can interact with an example implementation, and/or othergraphical user interfaces for a transmitting device. The components ofthe system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital datacommunication (e.g., a communication network).

The system can include clients and servers. A client and a server aregenerally remote from each other and typically interact through acommunication network. The relationship of client and server arises byvirtue of computer programs running on the respective computers andhaving a client-server relationship to each other.

The above described communication networks can be implemented in apacket-based network, a circuit-based network, and/or a combination of apacket-based network and a circuit-based network. Packet-based networkscan include, for example, the Internet, a carrier internet protocol (IP)network (e.g., local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), campusarea network (CAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), home area network(HAN)), a private IP network, an IP private branch exchange (IPBX), awireless network (e.g., radio access network (RAN), 802.11 network,802.16 network, general packet radio service (GPRS) network, HiperLAN),and/or other packet-based networks. Circuit-based networks can include,for example, the public switched telephone network (PSTN), a privatebranch exchange (PBX), a wireless network (e.g., RAN, Bluetooth,code-division multiple access (CDMA) network, time division multipleaccess (TDMA) network, global system for mobile communications (GSM)network), and/or other circuit-based networks.

Comprise, include, and/or plural forms of each are open ended andinclude the listed parts and can include additional parts that are notlisted. And/or is open ended and includes one or more of the listedparts and combinations of the listed parts.

One skilled in the art will realize the invention may be embodied inother specific forms without departing from the spirit or essentialcharacteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to beconsidered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting of theinvention described herein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for dynamic integration andpresentation of advertising content and media content, the methodcomprising: receiving, by a server computing device, a request for mediacontent from a remote computing device; providing, by the servercomputing device in response to the request, an interactive advertisingunit comprising: a first content layer including the requested mediacontent and a media player; a second content layer including theadvertising content, wherein the advertising content comprises videocontent and website content; and an integration module configured to:display the video content to match the boundaries of the media player;extend the display area of the video content beyond the boundaries ofthe media player; reduce the display area of the video content after aperiod of time to match the boundaries of the media player; display thewebsite content in an area outside of the boundaries of the mediaplayer; and display the requested media content in the media player; andtransmitting, by the server computing device, the interactiveadvertising unit for presentation on the remote computing device.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, the integration module further configured to: managethe spatial presentation of the requested media content and theadvertising content; synchronize the temporal presentation of therequested media content and the advertising content; and control thepresentation priority of the requested media content and the advertisingcontent.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein managing the spatialpresentation includes positioning the advertising content over the mediaplayer so as to obscure the requested media content.
 4. The method ofclaim 2, wherein managing the spatial presentation includes positioningthe advertising content in proximity to the media player so as todisplay the requested media content unobscured.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein the integration module displays an animation in extending thedisplay area of the video content beyond the boundaries of the mediaplayer.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the integration module extendsthe display area of the video content to a widescreen format.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the integration module displays an animationin reducing the display area of the video content to match theboundaries of the media player.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein thevideo content and the website content are related according to genre,theme, advertised product, subject matter, or any combination thereof.9. The method of claim 1, wherein the website content includesinformation related to a product displayed in the video content.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, the integration module further configured to receiveinput based on a user action.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the video content and the website content includes agraphical representation of an advertised product, an advertisedservice, or both.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the integrationmodule is configured to transmit one or more commands from the secondcontent layer to the first content layer, the one or more commandsoperable to control playback of the requested media content in the mediaplayer.
 13. A system for dynamic integration and presentation ofadvertising content and media content, the system comprising: a servercomputing device configured to: receive a request for media content froma remote computing device; provide, in response to the request, aninteractive advertising unit comprising: a first content layer includingthe requested media content and a media player; a second content layerincluding the advertising content, wherein the advertising contentcomprises video content and website content; and an integration moduleconfigured to: display the video content to match the boundaries of themedia player; extend the display area of the video content beyond theboundaries of the media player; reduce the display area of the videocontent after a period of time to match the boundaries of the mediaplayer; display the website content in an area outside of the boundariesof the media player; and display the requested media content in themedia player; and transmit the interactive advertising unit forpresentation on the remote computing device.
 14. A computer programproduct, tangibly embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storagemedium, for dynamic integration and presentation of advertising contentand media content, the computer program product including instructionsoperable to configure a data processing apparatus to: receive a requestfor media content from a remote computing device; provide, in responseto the request, an interactive advertising unit comprising: a firstcontent layer including the requested media content and a media player;a second content layer including the advertising content, wherein theadvertising content comprises video content and website content; and anintegration module configured to: display the video content to match theboundaries of the media player; extend the display area of the videocontent beyond the boundaries of the media player; reduce the displayarea of the video content after a period of time to match the boundariesof the media player; display the website content in an area outside ofthe boundaries of the media player; and display the requested mediacontent in the media player; and transmit the interactive advertisingunit for presentation on the remote computing device.